Written Answers Thursday 26 February 2009

Scottish Executive

Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent representations it has received anent the practical implementation of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government receives correspondence and calls from different sources from time to time on issues around the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. We are not aware of any representations which cover both acts. A limited review of the Mental Health Act is in progress to consider its operation since implementation and advise on any changes, while recognising that its general powers and provisions continue to offer an appropriate framework for care and treatment. The findings will be reported in due course.

Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines or advice have been issued to the Law Society of Scotland anent the implementation of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and the role of lawyers in relation to its implementation since its coming into force.

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines or advice have been issued to community health partnerships anent the implementation of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and their role in its implementation since its coming into force.

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines or advice have been issued to NHS boards anent the implementation of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and their role in its implementation since its coming into force.

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines or advice has been issued to banks anent the implementation of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and their role in its implementation since its coming into force.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has worked with stakeholders since the introduction of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 to ensure as far as possible that the legislation works as intended to protect the interests of adults with incapacity. Codes of Practice and guidance were developed with stakeholders, including the Law Society of Scotland. Revised versions were published in April 2007 following changes made in the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007. The publications are available on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/awi/010408awiwebpubs.

  There is no guidance specifically aimed at community health partnerships. NHS boards are supervisory bodies under part 4 of the act and the Code of Practice for Supervisory Bodies was published and distributed in July 2003. The Office of the Public Guardian is in regular contact with the Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers.

Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to modify the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 or the manner in which it is implemented.

Fergus Ewing: The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 is designed to protect all adults who lack the capacity to act or to make some or all decisions for themselves. Since its introduction, the provisions of the act have been kept under review to help ensure that the legislation works as intended. A two year project to monitor implementation of the act, funded by the Scottish Executive, resulted in a report in 2004, which clarified areas requiring legislative change to streamline and simplify procedures and improve access. A consultation exercise then took place on the proposed changes, and the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 contained a number of changes to the 2000 act. Codes of practice and guidance on the provisions of the act were published in 2007 and are available from the Scottish Government, or online at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/law/awi.

  There are no plans to make further changes to the legislation at present.

Agriculture

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with trade unions on the review of the future of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.

Richard Lochhead: We have regular informal contact with trade union representatives, in addition to formal meetings of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.

Apprenticeships

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from employers about adult modern apprenticeships in tourism.

Fiona Hyslop: Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are partly funded by UK Government and their primary role is to articulate employer skills needs through employer engagement and the production on Labour Market Intelligence.

  Our skills body, Skills Development Scotland, is working with SSCs (including People 1st who represent the hospitality and tourism sector), industry bodies and training providers to develop public skills interventions which better meet the needs of individuals and employers in Scotland.

  In response to the issues regarding qualifications highlighted in the Enterprise, Economy and Tourism Committee report, Growing Pains – can we achieve a 50% growth in tourist revenue by 2015 the Scottish Government set up a short life Education and Training Tourism task group to establish sector needs and recommend a way forward. Membership is drawn from industry, training providers, national agencies and the Scottish Government. The task group will examine the issue of proliferation of qualifications, the purpose of hotel schools and will explain the role of public sector bodies in the education and training system.

Central Heating

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that people who rely on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for heating and have difficulties paying increased charges are able to access advice and support.

Alex Neil: Our new Energy Assistance Package, which we will put in place from April, has four stages which in practice may run concurrently. Stages 1 and 2 will provide energy efficiency advice to all comers and benefits entitlement checks to a wide range of clients at risk of fuel poverty. Stage 3 will ensure installation of standard insulation measures to eligible households under the Carbon Emission Reduction Target programmes run by energy companies. Stage 4 will offer a package of enhanced energy efficiency measures to the most vulnerable - those living in energy inefficient housing in the private sector who are either older pensioner households, low income pensioner households or low income households with a child under 5 or a disabled child under 16, and to all private sector pensioner households who have never had a central heating system.

  We plan to offer at stage 4 replacement LPG heating systems to those already using this fuel if that is their preference rather than electric storage or air source heat pumps.

Core Paths

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many kilometres of core paths have been planned by local authorities.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the core paths in local authority plans are new paths.

Roseanna Cunningham: The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 requires the 32 local authorities and the two National Park authorities to draw up a system of core paths sufficient to give the public reasonable access throughout their area. This work is not yet complete for all access authorities and it will only be possible to provide data on the total length and nature of the paths when all plans have been adopted.

Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide the Parliament with a more detailed analysis of the likely cost implications of the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill, in accordance with the motion passed at the conclusion of Stage 1.

Fergus Ewing: I wrote on 25 February 2009 to the Convener of the Justice Committee to provide a reassessment of the Bill’s financial implications. Arrangements are being made to place copies of the correspondence with Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47372).

Dentistry

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of NHS dentists to patients has been in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.

Shona Robison: The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Ratio of Dentist Providing NHS General Dental Services to Registered NHS Patients by Local Authority Area, in the Years Ending 31 March 1999-20081, 2, 3

  

 Local Authority Area
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002
 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007
 2008


 Scotland
 1:1369
 1:1398
 1:1377
 1:1336
 1:1305
 1:1276
 1:1235
 1:1138
 1:1055
 1:1147


 Aberdeen City
 1:1423
 1:1475
 1:1434
 1:1377
 1:1190
 1:1130
 1:1058
 1:860
 1:686
 1:612


 Aberdeenshire
 1:1529
 1:1517
 1:1623
 1:1594
 1:1632
 1:1509
 1:1362
 1:1250
 1:1107
 1:1285


 Angus
 1:1133
 1:1269
 1:1202
 1:1292
 1:1274
 1:1384
 1:1475
 1:1253
 1:1134
 1:1104


 Argyll and Bute
 1:1266
 1:1250
 1:1198
 1:1199
 1:1113
 1:1075
 1:1042
 1:916
 1:851
 1:845


 Scottish Borders
 1:1483
 1:1551
 1:1498
 1:1434
 1:1483
 1:1354
 1:1253
 1:1151
 1:988
 1:971


 Clackmannanshire
 1:1308
 1:1339
 1:1204
 1:1230
 1:1245
 1:1394
 1:1618
 1:1331
 1:1408
 1:1468


 West Dunbartonshire
 1:1252
 1:1388
 1:1470
 1:1456
 1:1498
 1:1457
 1:1484
 1:1369
 1:1307
 1:1509


 Dumfries and Galloway
 1:1679
 1:1604
 1:1755
 1:1791
 1:1683
 1:1537
 1:1455
 1:1222
 1:1070
 1:1120


 Dundee City
 1:1215
 1:1291
 1:1296
 1:1266
 1:1216
 1:1152
 1:1099
 1:1010
 1:864
 1:1124


 East Ayrshire
 1:1222
 1:1363
 1:1435
 1:1574
 1:1372
 1:1204
 1:1143
 1:1099
 1:838
 1:1020


 East Dunbartonshire
 1:1013
 1:1007
 1:1006
 1:963
 1:907
 1:838
 1:833
 1:820
 1:848
 1:988


 East Lothian
 1:1125
 1:1173
 1:1296
 1:1211
 1:1178
 1:1068
 1:1042
 1:1026
 1:917
 1:867


 East Renfrewshire
 1:1127
 1:1192
 1:1168
 1:1171
 1:1170
 1:1173
 1:1058
 1:1027
 1:1012
 1:1166


 City of Edinburgh
 1:1022
 1:1049
 1:1021
 1:993
 1:979
 1:989
 1:1005
 1:944
 1:887
 1:934


 Falkirk
 1:1336
 1:1456
 1:1351
 1:1373
 1:1412
 1:1469
 1:1339
 1:1287
 1:1085
 1:1119


 Fife
 1:1327
 1:1378
 1:1323
 1:1335
 1:1308
 1:1371
 1:1290
 1:1017
 1:904
 1:965


 Glasgow City
 1:1150
 1:1173
 1:1171
 1:1122
 1:1100
 1:1102
 1:1024
 1:1023
 1:1009
 1:1088


 Highland
 1:1130
 1:1171
 1:1150
 1:1002
 1:1007
 1:924
 1:797
 1:693
 1:586
 1:656


 Inverclyde
 1:1448
 1:1440
 1:1294
 1:1290
 1:1434
 1:1303
 1:1320
 1:1177
 1:1095
 1:1144


 Midlothian
 1:1363
 1:1413
 1:1490
 1:1470
 1:1416
 1:1551
 1:1595
 1:1461
 1:1273
 1:1530


 Moray
 1:1821
 1:1782
 1:1733
 1:1603
 1:1377
 1:1015
 1:835
 1:794
 1:665
 1:725


 North Ayrshire
 1:1414
 1:1512
 1:1498
 1:1455
 1:1450
 1:1476
 1:1501
 1:1538
 1:1488
 1:1632


 North Lanarkshire
 1:1409
 1:1468
 1:1444
 1:1381
 1:1364
 1:1285
 1:1242
 1:1333
 1:1327
 1:1483


 Orkney Islands
 1:2070
 1:1506
 1:1429
 1:1186
 1:1086
 1:621
 1:840
 1:485
 1:537
 1:738


 Perth and Kinross
 1:1396
 1:1377
 1:1290
 1:1199
 1:1057
 1:1187
 1:1110
 1:806
 1:737
 1:767


 Renfrewshire
 1:1136
 1:1160
 1:1098
 1:1054
 1:1084
 1:1072
 1:1141
 1:1062
 1:1069
 1:1145


 Shetland Islands
 1:1057
 1:944
 1:1085
 1:683
 1:896
 1:928
 1:939
 1:807
 1:617
 1:666


 South Ayrshire
 1:1427
 1:1569
 1:1570
 1:1505
 1:1588
 1:1461
 1:1474
 1:1501
 1:1503
 1:1323


 South Lanarkshire
 1:1178
 1:1174
 1:1214
 1:1171
 1:1151
 1:1150
 1:1168
 !:1121
 1:1197
 1:1230


 Stirling
 1:1427
 1:1357
 1:1387
 1:1259
 1:1263
 1:1277
 1:1208
 1:1004
 1:1321
 1:1343


 West Lothian
 1:1062
 1:1071
 1:1164
 1:1210
 1:1230
 1:1246
 1:1202
 1:1162
 1:1127
 1:1238


 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
 1:986
 1:1017
 1:1016
 1:1646
 1:1053
 1:1219
 1:746
 1:608
 1:718
 1:872



  Source: MIDAS (Management Information and Dental Accounting System).

  Notes:

  1. The ratio is calculated by dividing the number (head count) of NHS salaried and non-salaried dentists by the number of registered NHS patients as at 31 March 1999-2008.

  2. Local authority area is defined using the postcode of the dental practice where the patient is registered, not the postcode of the patient.

  3. A dentist may enter into more than one arrangement with an NHS board if he/she has more than one practice in the area, or enter into an arrangement with more than one NHS board if he/she practises in more than one NHS board area. As a result, the sum of the number of dentists in each NHS board area, and therefore in each local authority area, exceeds the number of dentists practising in Scotland.

Education

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met Glasgow City Council to discuss education provision.

Fiona Hyslop: Over the last month, officials from the Scottish Government have met with officials from Glasgow City Council on a range of issues related to education provision.

  These have included meetings regarding the implementation of 16+ Learning Choices, enterprise in education and support for Glasgow’s schools of ambition.

Energy

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the expected demand range of (a) oil and (b) gas for the Scottish economy in 2020.

Jim Mather: Volume 5 of the Scottish Energy Study, published in November 2008, contains a set of predictions for possible energy related supply and demand trends up to 2020. In particular, table 12 of the report shows the overall demand projections disaggregated by fuel type up to 2020.

  The report can be found on the Scottish Government website at the following location:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/11/14093227/0.

Environment

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Richard Lochhead: The importance of valuing and enjoying our built and natural environment and protecting and enhancing it for future generations is recognised through its inclusion as one of the fifteen national outcomes in the National Performance Framework. The Framework guides the actions of the Scottish Government and other public bodies. Performance information is available on the Scotland Performs website. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/scotPerforms/objectives/greener .

Equal Pay

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on what progress has been made towards equal pay since May 2007.

Alex Neil: We know from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2008 that the gender pay gap for Scotland is currently 13.5%, based on the average (or mean) hourly earnings for full-time staff (defined as working over 30 hours per week). The median figure is nearly 11%. This shows a slight decrease in the pay gap from 2007 when equivalent figures were almost 15% and 12%.

  If we compare the hourly earnings of women working part-time with those of men working full-time, the gap is just over 32% (based on the average or mean) and almost 35% based on the median. Again, this shows a decrease from 2007 when equivalent figures were 34.5% and 37.5%.

  Scottish public bodies with more than 150 employees, including Scottish Government, were required to publish an equal pay statement that sets out their policy on equal pay between men and women by September 2007, and report against the statement - and review the statement - at least every three years. (specific public sector duty under the Gender Equality Duty). The first reports are due in September 2010.

  One of the Scottish Government’s gender equality objectives is to tackle the gender pay gap/ work towards equal pay, as detailed in the Scottish Government’s Gender Equality Scheme and Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47696).

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/06/12114733/0.

  The Scottish Government recognises that a key issue for understanding and tackling the pay gap is occupational segregation. The cross-directorate working group on occupational segregation published its report on the Scottish Government website in August 2008 and the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47697). http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/27101332/0.

Fire Service

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that there is an immediate threat to the operation of fire and rescue services in the Highlands and Islands following the vote in the European Parliament to end the opt-out to the working time directive.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to work with Her Majesty’s Government to ensure that there is no threat to fire and rescue services in the Highlands and Islands following the vote in the European Parliament to end the opt-out to the working time directive.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the provision of fire and rescue services in the Highlands and Islands through a network of fire stations staffed by predominantly retained firefighters is a sensible, practical and relatively cost effective way to deliver such services to remote and scattered populations.

Fergus Ewing: There is no immediate threat to the operation of the fire and rescue services. The Scottish Government recognise the vital work of our Fire and Rescue Services across Scotland and especially the contribution of those firefighters on the Retained Duty System who provide a vital, flexible and cost effective community role in Scotland, particularly for those citizens living in our rural, remote and island communities. Therefore while this issue is a reserved matter, the Scottish Government are firmly committed to making the case for retention of the opt-out. My officials are working in partnership with colleagues in the UK Government to ensure that MEPs and EU member states are briefed appropriately.

Forensic Science

Mike Pringle (Edinburgh South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the closure or downgrading of Howdenhall forensic laboratory in Edinburgh will be considered as part of the Scottish Police Services Authority board’s review of the future of forensic services following the completion of new laboratories in Gartcosh and Dundee.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Police Services Authority has no plans to close or downgrade the Howdenhall forensic laboratory.

Further and Higher Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what is considered a full-time course (a) by the Scottish Funding Council and (b) for the purposes of council tax collection.

John Swinney: The Scottish Funding Council classify a full time course as "courses with at least 720 planned hours within one academic year" for further education (non-advanced) and "at least 480 planned hours within one academic year" for higher education (advanced) courses.

  With regards to council tax collection, an individual is generally classed as a full time student and therefore exempt from paying council tax if they are undertaking a course of study for at least 24 weeks of each academic year and requiring at least 21 hours of study, tuition or work experience in each of these weeks.

Health

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the NHS is supporting people with arthritis.

Shona Robison: Arthritis in all its forms is a very important long-term condition. People living with arthritis will therefore benefit from the wide range of work we are taking forward on long term conditions management, especially self management.

  The GMS contract requires GPs to manage people who present with signs and symptoms of an arthritic condition, and NHS boards are responsible for providing services for people with arthritis.

Health

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of mothers smoked during pregnancy in (a) the NHS Tayside area and (b) Scotland in each of the last three years.

Shona Robison: Information on women smoking at booking is published on the Scottish Health Statistics website under the Births & Babies website at ( http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/2911.html ).

  For access to the data, please click on the chart titled "Smoking at booking by NHS board of residence: 2007", then select the NHS board or Scotland tab at the bottom of the sheet and the year tab at the top of the sheet.

Health

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the fertility rates were per 1,000 of female population in age groups (a) 20 to 24, (b) 25 to 29, (c) 30 to 34, (d) 35 to 39 and (e) 40 to 44 in (i) Dundee and (ii) Angus in the last two years for which information is available.

Shona Robison: The information requested is given in the following tables for 2006 and 2007. Figures for 2008 will be available in August 2009.

  (i) Fertility Rates Per 1,000 of Female Population in Dundee

  

 Age Group


 Year
 20-24
 25-29
 30-34
 35-39
 40-44


 2006
 63.5
 79.0
 85.8
 34.8
 7.5


 2007
 65.6
 92.4
 86.4
 39.5
 6.8



  (ii) Fertility Rates Per 1,000 of Female Population in Angus

  

 Age Group


 Year
 20-24
 25-29
 30-34
 35-39
 40-44


 2006
 82.8
 121.6
 105.7
 41.6
 6.5


 2007
 87.0
 136.7
 106.4
 45.2
 6.5



  Source: General Register Office for Scotland.

Health

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average age of mothers was at time of giving birth in each of the last two years in (a) Dundee and (b) Angus.

Shona Robison: The information requested is given in the following table for 2006 and 2007. The corresponding figures for 2008 are not yet available.

  Average Age of Mothers at Time of Giving Birth in Dundee and Angus, 2006 and 2007

  

 Year
 Dundee
 Angus


 2006
 27.5
 29.2


 2007
 27.5
 29.2

Homecoming Scotland

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on purchasing television advertising linked to the promotion of Homecoming Scotland 2009 in (a) Scotland, (b) the rest of the United Kingdom, (c) the United States of America, (d) Canada, (e) Australia and (f) New Zealand.

Jim Mather: The Caledonia television advertisement forms part of a comprehensive marketing programme that is promoting Homecoming Scotland 2009. £112,061 has been spent purchasing television advertising to promote Homecoming in Scotland. Assessments show that 2.1 million people in Scotland saw the advertisement around St Andrew’s Day 2008 and 1.9 million people saw it around Burns Night 2009.

  £131,020 has been spent purchasing television advertising to promote Homecoming in the rest of the UK. 400,000 people in Northern Ireland saw the advertisement around Burns Night 2009. In March the advertisement will be seen by approximately six million people in England and one million in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  The Caledonia television advertisement also forms one element of the Homecoming marketing activity across the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand which has seen investment of £1.3 million over the past 18 months. The most significant media investment has been online which delivers far superior value in terms of reach, response and targeting than any other media platform. £56,206 has been spent purchasing television advertising to promote Homecoming in the US. Between 21 and 30 January seven million people in North America saw the advertisement and a version will play again in the US on the US public "free-to-air" channel PBS during "Highland Heartbeat", a popular Scottish music entertainment programme. There are 350 PBS channels across the US, with audiences in the tens of millions anticipated.

Homecoming Scotland

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the costs associated with the Caledonia advertisement linked to the promotion of Homecoming Scotland 2009, including production, participants’ fees and expenses and transmission, also showing from which budgets finance was drawn.

Jim Mather: The costs associated with the production of the Caledonia advertisement were as follows:

  Cost of production (including filming, production, director / producer fees): £233,450

  Cost of edited version of advertisement for use on PBS: £10,000

  Music usage costs (one year): £15,000

  Participants’ fee: nil

  Participants’ expenses (accommodation / travel): £1,550

  Transmission: £299,287.

  The costs were met from the VisitScotland grant-in-aid budget provided by the Scottish Government.

Homecoming Scotland

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that enough has been spent on advertising the Year of Homecoming on television outwith Scotland.

Jim Mather: Yes. The expenditure on advertising the Year of Homecoming on television outwith Scotland is ensuring the Homecoming message is reaching many millions of people in some of our key tourism markets. Television advertising forms part of a comprehensive marketing programme but the most effective media channel in terms of targeting genuine potential visitors has been shown to be online. This is where the vast majority of the investment is being made.

Homecoming Scotland

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs it estimates will be created or secured through Homecoming Scotland events in 2009.

Jim Mather: No target has been set for the number of jobs created or secured from Homecoming events in 2009. However, based on the target to deliver an additional £40 million in tourism revenue and using the Scottish Government’s Input-Output Model for 2004, analysis indicates that this expenditure on tourism would normally equate to the development of approximately 1,000 jobs across all sectors.

Homecoming Scotland

Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is measuring the success of the Year of Homecoming 2009.

Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-19785 on 30 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Homelessness

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Housing Regulator will publish its comparative study of homelessness services of five registered social landlords and Glasgow City Council.

Alex Neil: I have asked Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Housing Regulator, to respond.

  Her response is as follows:

  The regulator aims to publish its inspection report on Glasgow City Council’s homeless service in the early summer. It plans to publish its thematic inspection of registered social landlords’ contribution to alleviating homelessness later in the summer.

Mental Health

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients were prescribed antidepressant drugs in the last 12 months.

Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. The information currently available on prescribing of antidepressants can be found on the ISD website:

  http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/information-and-statistics.jsp?pContentID=3671&p_applic=CCC&p_service=Content.show&.

  We have a published target to reduce the levels of antidepressant prescribing in Scotland and action continues to expand accessible alternatives to prescribing in those cases where this is appropriate. The clinician in consultation with colleagues and the service user will continue in all cases to decide the best care option for the needs presented.

Mental Health

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the proportion of patients prescribed antidepressant drugs in Scotland compared with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Shona Robison: We do not have information on the proportion of patients prescribed antidepressants in Scotland, nor is this available for the rest of the United Kingdom.

  We have a published target to reduce the levels of antidepressant prescribing in Scotland and action continues to expand accessible alternatives to prescribing in those cases where this is appropriate. The clinician in consultation with colleagues and the service user will continue in all cases to decide the best care option for the needs presented.

Mental Health

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the treatment of depression and other mental health illnesses should, in the first instance, focus on lifestyle changes rather than medication.

Shona Robison: No. Treatment of depression and other mental illnesses should be based on a clinical assessment of needs and should include medication, therapies, or lifestyle changes as appropriate to the circumstances of the individual.

Mental Health

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that lifestyle advisors should be more involved in the treatment of depression.

Shona Robison: We are committed to supporting people with depression and we recognise that there is good evidence that people respond to a range of different treatments, including medication, therapies, or lifestyle changes, offered in a range of different ways and appropriate to need.

  Along with our partners in NHS 24 and NHS boards across Scotland, we have made significant investments in increasing access to psychological therapies and in ensuring screening and appropriate treatment and support via Keep Well health checks. We have also produced guidance on promoting the physical health of those experiencing mental health problems and separate guidance for primary and community care teams on using social prescribing in offering non medical sources of support, through leisure, welfare, education, culture, employment, debt /benefits and other advice.

People with Dementia

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has allocated to services to identify and treat dementia in 2008-09.

Shona Robison: Current spend on mental health services, including dementia, is drawn from the record funds allocated to NHS boards and local government. For 2008-09, £10.6 billion has been allocated to Health and £11.2 billion to local government.

  We are also investing over £1.5 million over the next three years through the Dementia Clinical Research Network and on our work with Alzheimer Scotland and the Dementia Services Development Centre to design effective, practical steps for better and earlier identification and interventions for dementia.

People with Dementia

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that dementia is identified and treated.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of dementia.

Shona Robison: We have a specific timetabled target for NHS boards, linked to the GMS contract, to achieve improvements in the early diagnosis and management of patients with dementia by March 2011. The Mental Health Collaborative is supporting NHS boards in this work and has produced a toolkit designed to analyse their dementia services from the perspective of those using the service.

  NHS boards are also introducing standards for integrated care pathways (Bib. number 44374) for those with dementia to ensure the right care is available at the right time.

  NHS Education for Scotland has also recently commissioned the Dementia Services Development Centre to design and deliver training to support early interventions. By the summer, 40 nurses and Allied Health Professionals from across Scotland will have completed this training.

  We are also investing £600,000 in our work with Alzheimer Scotland and the Dementia Services Development Centre to develop better structured intervention, support and information services immediately following first diagnosis. This work will further develop our understanding of how we can best offer these services in a way that meets the needs of patients and carers in an understanding and sensitive manner.

People with Dementia

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is provided to the families of people with dementia.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises the impact that caring for someone with dementia can have on the carer and family. Under the GMS contract, GPs are paid to maintain a register for those with dementia and undertake an annual review assessment. These reviews are expected to address the support needs of the individual with dementia as well as the information needs of those caring for that person and the impact of caring on the carer.

  Through the Scottish Enhanced Services programme, eight NHS boards have developed enhanced services for carers, including those families looking after patients with dementia. Participating GP practices in these areas provide an enhanced care package that includes better identification of carers, assessment of health and support needs and signposting or direct referral to carer support services.

  We are also investing £9 million to support NHS boards in implementing their Carer Information Strategies. These strategies are supporting real improvements in carer identification, and the provision of carer information and training. This can include the provision of information and training on caring for someone with dementia. In continuing to recognise the importance respite can play for the carer and cared for, we are working closely with COSLA to deliver the concordat commitment to deliver an additional 10,000 respite weeks. And have provided an additional £4 million to enable local authorities to deliver this commitment by 2011.

  NHS Health Scotland and Alzheimer Scotland have also made widely available their updated booklet "coping with dementia A practical handbook for carers" (Bib. number 47699) providing information and advice for people who care for someone with dementia.

People with Dementia

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to provide extra training for GPs on how to recognise the warning signs of dementia.

Shona Robison: GPs as independent contractors are expected to identify and address their own education needs throughout their careers. GPs are also expected to follow national clinical guidelines on the management of patient with dementia, which includes diagnosis (Bib. number 47786).

  They are supported in this by NHS boards, for example through the Protected Learning Time initiatives which allows supported time for training. They also have access to a range of education and training materials in different formats and media. Directors of GP Post Graduate Education; NHS Education for Scotland; The Royal College of General Practitioners; NHS elibrary services; specialist colleagues; are amongst those available to help and advise GPs on resources for diagnosis support, and education and training to meet their development needs.

  Achieving additional skills and knowledge also forms part of the new GP training curriculum, which includes the Care of Older Adults.

People with Dementia

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve public awareness of dementia.

Shona Robison: Following research into public attitudes and understandings of dementia in 2008 we will shortly launch a pilot public awareness campaign in Tayside which is intended to increase the number of people with dementia coming forward for diagnosis. We will evaluate the outcome of that campaign and use the learning from it to inform possible future national campaign work.

Planning

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications have been considered by the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications were refused by the Cairngorms National Park Authority on grounds of nature conservation value (the Sandford principle).

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the specific nature conservation reasons were for planning applications being refused by the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Roseanna Cunningham: The Cairngorms National Park Authority took on its planning function in September 2003 and since then many hundreds of planning applications have been considered for possible call-in by the park authority. All planning applications determined by the park authority can be viewed on their website.

Ports and Harbours

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will give to ports to increase their container capacities.

Stewart Stevenson: We continue to recognise the vital role that ports in Scotland play by providing transport links, thus contributing to the government’s core purpose of sustainable economic growth.

Prison Service

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the evidence given to the Public Petitions Committee on 10 February 2009 by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, what plans there are for the site of HMP Aberdeen.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Following the opening of HMP Grampian, the site of HMP Aberdeen will be disposed of in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines.

Public Bodies

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to monitor and address ageism in bodies for which it has direct or arm’s length responsibility.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the diversity of staff within the devolved public service, and recognising what everyone has to offer. All Scottish public bodies are required to operate equal opportunities policies in line with Scottish Government priorities as set out in the National Performance Framework, which includes the National Outcome "We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society".

  It is the responsibility of all employers to ensure they comply with the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006.

  As an employer, the Scottish Government aims to be an exemplar in areas of diversity and equality and is also committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination, including that on age grounds. The Scottish Government also ran a wide reaching campaign, from July to October 2008, to raise awareness about age discrimination and promote positive attitudes towards ageing.

Regeneration

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be available for town centre works and regeneration initiatives for towns in the (a) Scottish Borders, (b) Dumfries and Galloway, (c) East Lothian, (d) North Ayrshire, (e) South Lanarkshire and (f) East Ayrshire council areas from the 2009-10 budget.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be available to local authorities.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be distributed among local authorities.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be a cap on the amount of Town Centre Regeneration Fund distributed to each local authority.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be ring-fenced for local authorities.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether guidance will be issued to local authorities as to how the Town Centre Regeneration Fund should be spent.

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how local traders and trade associations will be able to have an input into how the Town Centre Regeneration Fund is spent.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how local communities will be able to access the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what role local authorities will have in relation to the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what role the enterprise networks will have in relation to the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government’s £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund will be available in 2009-10 to support our town centres and local high streets. We are currently working on the details of the Fund, and will shortly be entering into discussions with stakeholders. We anticipate full details of the scheme will be announced by the end of March 2009.

Sexual Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to increase the number of men being tested for chlamydia.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of tackling chlamydia and is committed to breaking the cycles of transmission and reducing its prevalence in those under the age of 25.

  The recent Quality Improvement Scotland Standard on sexual health and young people - available online at http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/files/sexualhealth_july2007.pdf -

  sets out a target to increase chlamydia testing in under 25s. This includes a specific target to increase the number of young men being offered a test. Every young person who visits a sexual health service is asked if they have put themselves at risk and, if so, offered a test.

  In addition, health boards are responsible for putting in place a range of measures which will reach young people in their local area and many are taking innovative approaches to reach young men, such as postal testing kits which can be given directly to young men or to a young woman to pass on to their partner.